Board of Directors

Jeanie Diemer

Originally from Tallahassee, Florida, Jeanie became a believer when she began attending church on her own at ten years of age. The Lord faithfully and kindly led her into relationship with Himself. Jeanie continued to attend church regularly and was involved in campus ministries at Florida State University where she got her B.S. degree in Mathematics Education. She spent eight years teaching in public and private schools, and many years educating her children at home.

Jeanie and her husband, Paul, have served in many lay capacities at the churches they have attended throughout the southeast and now currently attend Summit Church (Mauldin campus). She first became involved with The River as a participant in Tuesday morning Bible studies and has been a board member since May of 2016. She has a strong desire to see people grow in their faith and in their love for Jesus. Recently relocated to Greenville from Florida, Jeanie continues to care for her family which has grown through fostering. She and her husband, Paul, have been married for 31 years and have two adult sons, a teenage daughter, and currently two foster children.

Ben Daniel

Chairman

Ben was born and raised in Athens, Ga., in a wonderful church-going family.  His life truly changed upon hearing the Good News through FCA as a student at Wofford College.  Ben then served in youth ministry through Westminster Presbyterian in Spartanburg, SC., and later through Young Life.  While a dental student in Charleston, SC, he continued to volunteer with Young Life and developed a sincere passion to share Christ with high school students.  Milly and Ben were married while in dental school and, upon moving to Greenville, began working with the youth at Christ Community Church in Simpsonville, SC.  In 2004, he launched his dental practice, where he has worked ever since.  Ben and Milly are blessed with three children:  Will, Drew and Molly Grace.   He delights in coaching their sports teams, which affords him an opportunity to impact the lives of many young people.

Ben currently serves as the board chairman for The River and is honored to do so.  He loves that The River makes much of Jesus by making much of His Word.  He continues to be amazed by seeing Him anew in passages that he has read a hundred times: “The River helps me see His Word as living and active!”

Paul Clark

Paul moved to in Greenville from the Northeast while in high school and graduated from Bob Jones University in 1986. He is a business owner and leadership developer, trying to speak the truth in love in his business and personal relationships. Having served as a pastor, elder and teacher in the local church, he wants to see the Body of Christ strengthened, church leaders encouraged, and the Gospel advanced into the community. He loves shooting pictures, cooking breakfast, writing creatively, and traveling to distant places. He also enjoys a quiet drive in the country with Lisa, his best friend of 35 years, or admiring their 2 adult kids offering up an impromptu duet on a single guitar.

Paul has been an active board member of The River since its inception in 2013. He loves the way Jesus uses the members of His Body to minister to each other. Paul takes great delight in watching the the truth of God’s Word being communicated in a classroom setting, and seeing the Spirit bring light into the eyes and into the lives of the hearers. This has been a primary driver for his involvement with The River. An active member of Summit Church (CherryDale campus), Paul has the opportunity to use his teaching giftedness. Paul also serves in a teaching capacity for The River.

Larry Springgate

Larry Springgate has been a follower of Jesus since a very young age and has a deep love for scripture. He and his lovely wife Tammy, of 35 years, are parents to three adult children. He has been Director for National Accounts for CompX Security products since 2002 and manages the largest accounts and projects for CompX.  Larry has held various sales and marketing positions and has 33 years of experience in the lock manufacturing industry.

Larry has had various volunteer roles within the churches he has attended, including Sunday School board member, teacher, small group leader and several class officer positions. Larry is currently active at Fellowship Greenville where he has been attending for over 15 years. His love for the Scripture and it’s preeminence for the Christian walk are one of the major reasons for Larry’s involvement as a board member for The River. He has a strong desire to see people grow in their faith and love for Jesus.

Kevin Reid

Chairman Elect

Kevin has served on The River board since its inception. A former McDonald’s executive and then a franchisee, he was with McDonalds for a total of 49 years before retiring. Kevin and his wife of 47 years, Becky, became Christians in 1986 and have been members of Fellowship Greenville ever since. They have eight adult children and 19 (and counting) grandchildren and he realizes just how blessed he and his wife are.

Kevin serves on The River Board because he strongly believes in the purpose of The River – to help people experience God in a meaningful and deeper way as they read and study the Bible. His family has experienced spiritual growth and blessing as a result of the teaching and discipleship training of Brian Onken for the last 20 years – the first 15 years in a church setting and the last 5 years in classes offered through The River. Kevin serves in several capacities in his church as well as serving in several lay ministries in the community. He firmly believes that he has been blessed to be a blessing to others.

Allison Walker

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Allison received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Auburn University, a Masters in Social Work at the University of Tennessee and a law degree at Nashville School of Law. She was a child and family counselor for 10 years. She was a lawyer in the area of family law and child advocacy for 5 years in Nashville, Tennessee. Allison moved to Greenville, SC, 11 years ago and decided to be a stay at home mom. She and her husband, Jackson, have been married 21 years and are actively involved in the lives of their three wonderful daughters.

Allison became a believer at age 9 while attending a church camp with a neighbor. She has continued to be an active participant in the local church. Most recently, she served as a women’s Bible study leader. Allison joyfully and enthusiastically accepted a position on the board at The River in 2017 because she personally witnessed the powerful transformation of reading and knowing Scripture. Allison’s life verse is “And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only True God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” (John 17:3). Classes at The River have been a conduit for her in knowing God and Jesus as she has attended classes at The River since its inception.

Marty Windsor

Born in North Carolina and raised in Tennessee, Marty heard the gracious call of God and set out on his faith journey in a country church beside the river at the base of Holston Mountain.

The quest to live life in Christ took him to Greenville where he attended and graduated Bob Jones University. After graduation, his path forward brought many twists and turns. While playing guitar and singing in a local restaurant, Marty met Beth and they married in 1984. Marty soon began working in the field of engineering and design, which he continues to do presently.

It was through the blessing of children, Phillip and Shelley, that the Lord began to refine Marty and Beth’s understanding of the gospel, and through the community of faith at Southside Baptist Church, later known as Fellowship Greenville, they became involved in local church ministry. They began to serve in music and hospitality areas, and later helped to launch Crossroads Community Church in Simpsonville.

Through the ministry of the local church and The River Upsate, the primacy and centrality of the Word of God has become a constant and prominent theme in their lives. It is a great privilege to serve on The River board to help spread love for this Word which reveals to us the living Christ.